LIVE OAK, Fla. — It was a very busy, and successful, year in 2018 for Mike Walsh.

In addition to running the business of Walsh Race Craft of Live Oak — which produces and sells high-end ATV and quad racing aftermarket parts —  Walsh traveled throughout the United States and also abroad as the mechanic for six-time Motocross National Champion Chad Wienen.

Walsh went to events in New York, Michigan, Texas and other states as well on the 11-race tour. With Wienen claiming the 2018 ATV Motocross Championship for the pro division, Walsh also earned recognition. 

“We won the national championship. Around 99 percent of the time, the mechanic who wins the pro national championship will get the award,” explained Walsh. “I had a good time. We had zero mechanical failures. 

“It was a big deal for Chad to win the sixth national championship.”

While there were plenty of great memories from 2018, including a win for Team USA at the Quadcross of Nations race in Denmark, Walsh said he won’t be on the road as much in 2019.

He wants to focus more on growing the family business, which started in Connecticut in 1997 and moved to Live Oak in 2005.

“We are still going to go on the road, but I’m not going to work for one specific rider anymore,” Walsh said. “We are trying to build our company in Live Oak and take it to the next level.”

It’s a business that Walsh is very passionate about.

“I’ve been riding four-wheelers since I was 8. I started racing when I was 15. I started building parts when I was 17 or 18,” Walsh said. “This is all I’ve ever done.

“I’m 42 now. I’ve accomplished a lot of my goals. I want to learn how to manufacture better and grow the business.”